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Getting arrested is a stressful event that can have lasting repercussions on you for the rest of your life, if you end up with a criminal record. How you handle your arrest will play a major role in whether it becomes more of an issue or you get your life back on track in short order. Here are four tips that will help you after you’ve been arrested.

Hire Your Own Lawyer

No matter what you’re charged with, your best option from a defense standpoint is hiring a lawyer. Public defenders tend to be less experienced and with a heavy case load that makes it hard for them to devote too much time to any one case. Hiring a lawyer may cost you more in the short term, but it can lead to a much better long-term result for you.

Consider Plea Deals

What you should do depends on the circumstances of your case, as you may have a solid defense or possibly even a chance of getting the charges dropped. But if there’s strong evidence against you, then you should ask your lawyer about plea deals. If it’s your first offense and the crime wasn’t too severe, you may even be able to keep the charge from going on your record.

Get out of Jail as Soon as Possible

Not only is jail a terrible environment to be in, but when you’re there, you could miss out on your usual responsibilities. To have as little disruption to your life as possible, you should post bail right away. Now, many people who have been arrested can’t come up with the money they need for bail, and in that case, you can work with a bail bonds company like Goldfarb Bonding Agency or someone similar to put up the money for you, provided you pay them a fee.

Fulfill the Terms of Your Sentencing

After you’re sentenced, make sure you abide by all the terms laid out in your sentencing. Pay the fines, stay out of trouble and go to any required classes. Otherwise, you risk more severe punishment. You also need to comply with your sentencing if the charge is going to get wiped off your record.

An arrest isn’t something to be proud of, but it also isn’t the end of the world. Follow the steps above to get your life back to normal.